F 499 
35 
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What's a Capon and Why 




B^ 



The Capon Man 



COPYSIOHTKO 1914 



PRICE 

50 Cents 



iCI.A3()9040 






oy V 



6 




^x^.'^^n 



i: \.i,-. Is I ,\' , I \l'i I \ l_ l,l.^. 

riiMt.i liv |).<-iniL', li'iHi l.iM' Ciii"!!. \..ir ill,- Small llca.l. .\l.s.iu<' of C.iinh, llfavy 
r.M.jy ami MrcK \| ,| k a i a n,r, n..] [■oiin.i in ihr I'ailir,- Mai, i'.ii.l. 



What's a Capon and Why 



CopyrighleJ 1912 

A caiion is an nnscxed male bird. They arc not hatched 
that \va}-. d"(> become a capon a yonn-- male Ijird must l)e oper- 
ated on in much the same manner as any other male animal 
intended for eating purposes. The operation correctl\- ])er formed, 
the capon grows to twice the size he would have had he V:)een 
left entire. His Hesh i< the juiciest, sweetest and most tender 




A Rooster. Note the Slim l!o(h 



Heavy Comb and "FJecky' 
in the Capon. 



.\|i])eaiance not Foun<1 



of any known meat, selling for much more per pound than any 
other kind of fowl. In fact, the capon has become a modern 
necessity. Formerly capon was the most expensive luxur_\' to be 
had. Capon in the olden times was the crowning event in the 
feast of the ancient kings and queens. Capons are still the great- 
est delicacy that can be placed before the Darticular epicure. Their 



I'icli. \\■l^()lL■-^l line, tender ne>h ctintain^ (he lite-i;i\'in.L;', I)raiii-fi imi- 
in.<4", >treni^lli-i)r( Klncing foixl that i> re(|uire<l 1)\- the hi^h ^truny 
wdrkini^man of niodern times. l)e his work indodr^ or ont. 

l'|) til the ])resent time ■■C"a])(ln^" lia\e Ijeen enjoyed only by 
the wealth}' and well-tn-do classes, with the ])ossible exception, 
perhaps, of a \e!"y few expert ])(inltr\nien that had mastered the 
art and learned h> ]ierf(irm the operation with the old style tools. 
i\l(_>dern invention and ini^enuit}' have placed the capon within the 
reach of e\er\- one with energy and ambition enongh to feed and 
care for a chicken. In order to have ^ome capon--, all that i> 
necessary i^ ti> remo\e the }'onng cockereTs reproducing" organs. 
These organ> are not ex])osed on the outside of the l)ody as they 
are in the larger animals, hut are carrie<l on the inside. N'ou will 
find them ju>t inider the backbone, one on each side, and in line 
bet ween the la>l tW( i ri])s. 

In order to renio\-e these organs it is absolutelv necessarv to 
use some kind of instrument, riie success of the ojieration will 
depend upon the character of the toojs used. 

It i^ a fact that capons should be found in e\er}- section where 
chickeUN are raided the world o\ei'. \'et there are a great man\- 








I 



■III 



- — ■'--■ -■/'''~i0i3f'-^- 




.\ .sioic (111 thy Miiiuli \ 1)^11 lann, (. e.lar \'ak-, Kansas. An Open i-iunt lluusc, 

the liest 'l'\]M f(.r 1 1. ,ii-,iii.4 Any Kind nf C'hickeiis. Ksfiecially "Cai>on-.."' 

This llcin-.e lias i'Mni Rminis, i> l-~iftv Feet Konc: and Sixteen 

I'eet Deep. X.ite the Xest lic.xi's ,.n ( Int-ide, Doa; 

and line l>i-,„,f. 



people in America that ha\e ne\er heai"d of a cajion. .SureK' there 

must l)e some g 1 reason why i)ouIti"y raisers ha\e not made more 

ca])ons. r.y all the laws i,\ common sense the\- should be as pop- 
ular in the poultr\ yards as steers are in the cattle lots. The de- 
mand for capon is just as gi'eat as ii i- foi- steers, (/ajion com- 
mands much the higher price ])er pound on the o])en market, and 
the sup])ly ]iasne\-er as yet been sufficieiU to meet the re(|uireinents 
\\ h_\', then, has not caponizing hecome moi-e general? .''^imph' 
"because" with the old-style tools there w ei^e too man\- "sli])s." 
A'erv few birds ai"e killed, or e\eu hurt. b\' the oi)eration. L"nless 



you altcnijit to use some sort of sharp-eflj^ed cli])|)iui;' testicle 
reuiover. which is very dangerous. Tlie real (li>couraging fea- 
ture hei'etofore has l)een due t(_» the large amount of "sli])s" that 
would dex'elop from each bunch oi)erated on. 

"A slip" is no good, lie is the scoundrel that has kei)t the 
profital)le, kind-hearted ca])on from becoming the most jjopular 
bird that the world has ever known. The slip himself cannot be 
personally blamed for this. The fact is, he no doubt would much 
prefer to be a capon and in due time enter into his proper place 
in high society. The slip, however, has to be content with a place 
midway between the capon and the old rooster. Bringing on the 
market a few cents per pound more than his daddy, the old rooster. 
and much less than his kind-hearted brother, the capon. A slip 
is caused b}' an iiu]KM-fect o])eration, duQ principallv to a wrongly 
constructed tool. In making a ca])i:in the parts to be removed are 
very soft and tender, almost like jelly, and attached to the bird 
with cords and membranes. Much the same as in other animals, 
except that the organs are inside the bird's body. The nature of 
the fowl is such that the smallest particle of these organs, cords 
or adhering membranes left in the l)ird will result in nature try- 
ing to grow a new organ. With the old-st}-le tools it is rdmost 
impossil)le to remove them entire. Jn tifty to sixty per cent of 
the cases enough is usually left to cause nature to try to replace 
them, resulting in the discouraging, unprofitable slip, llence the 
shortage in the world's su|)ply of cajx^ns. ( )f course there are 
some exceptions ; certain sections of the country near the large 
critical markets, where capons command forty to fifty cents per 
pound, have stuck to the i^roblem on account of the unusual large 
])rofits that were to be made from ca])ons. Certain individuals, 
after much practice and many expensive ex])eriences, have mas- 
tered the art with the old style tools, until the_\' were able to get 
a fairlv large per cent of ca])ons. 

These men have made a business of caponizing for the com- 
munit}', charging so much ])er bird ojierated on for their services. 
Wherever (jne of these ex])erts is available the capon industrv has 
de\'eloped to large proportions. 

In summing up the facts it at once becomes apparent that 
capons are very ])rofital)le and much to l)e desired. The real rea- 
son they are not more generalK- found in this countr^■ is the lack 
of a set of instruments that the ordinar_\' ])erson can use success- 
fully without special training. 

Within the last six months of l*'ll such tools have been per- 
fected and patented. Perstjnally I ha\e tried out these tools and 
know that the_\' are all that is claimed for them. These tools were 
originally invented and patents obtained or a])plied for bv ( ieorge 
Beuoy and afterwards disposed of by him to the Ca])on Tool Com- 
pany of Cedar \'ale, Kan. These tools work practically auto- 
maticall}' and very little skill is required to make a ca])on with 
them. Rightly used a slip is impossible. ( )nce tried you will 
never be without capons — they are the greatest eating to be had. 



I'liat i> what we Iia\c always tlmu.^ht. Imt afUM" wc Iiad the ])leas- 
nre of rcailiiiy the fonciwini^- letter we knew it to I)e a fact. Surely 
no hii.;lier authority than the president of tlie American Poultry 
Association need he cited on thi-^ jxiint : 

Topeka. Kan.. Dec. 24. 1''09. 
Hear Mr. I'.euoy. Cedar A'ale. Kan. 

Dear Mr. lieuox': — 1 cannot he,i.;in to exi)ress the thanks of 
ni\>elf and family for the magnihcent capon you sent us. lie ar- 
ri\ed in the afternoon, and when I .^ot home I found m_\- little 
ho\s liad him out ])]ayini;' with him and they thought that he 
was ahout hig enough to make a hor>e. 1 ha\e to leave this after- 
noon, and I just Could not hear the tliought of leaving without 
tasting ^ouie of that juicx' hird. .'^o la>t night I killed and dressed 
him and loda\' we had him good and hrown. Xow I am ncit flat- 
tering \ ( lu when I sa\' that I ha\e eaten ])heasants. ducks, geese 
and chickens cooked hv some of the most exjiert diets in America, 
htU I ne\er ate ainthing e(|ual ti) that ca])on. 1 realK- dread to 
lea\e home this ;iftei"noi in. for two reasons: hdr-t. T fear the 
entire familx' ha\e eaten so much capon that the\- will likely get 
down. .""Second, I would like to he here fo]- another line lunch off 
ot that I'apou served cold, d hei'e were twel\-e of us ate a magnih- 
cent meal todaw Xow, this is counting in m\- famil_\' and visitors 
that we inx-ited in to i>artake of the feast, and still there was t(j 
spare. We did not ipiite get tweU'e had<ets full of fra.gments, Init 
they ha\e jjlenty left for su])per and 1 am going awa\- in a short 
time and will miss finishing the treat. \'ou know how the woiuen 
appreciate s( nneihiiig nice for the tahle ; well. m\' wife was eer- 
taiid)' hai)])y to get that fine ca]>on, and she joins me in expi'essing 
our thanks. Mr. r>euo\-, 1 do not know how ] can ever jia)' \du 
for )dm" kindness in this matter, and I ho|)e when 1 see _\oti at 
Wichita (at the State I'oultiw Show i | will he able to make goiid 
with }ou in sdine wa\- to show \-i lU that 1 apju'eciate yoiu' kind- 
ness far more than this letter hegins to ex])ress. 

Wishing \dU a merr\- Xn.ias and a hai>i)y Xew Year. 1 am, 

(/< irdial]\- yi lurs, 

Ri;i':sF. \'. IIicKS. 

d'he aho\e letter to Ah". l'.euo\ was w]-itten li\- .\lr. Micks, at 
the present time ]iresident of d'he AmeiMcan I'oultry Assi iciation. 
and at that time, a- he still is. editor-in-chief of /'diiltry Citltiirc. 
I'resident I licks \oiees the sentiments of e\'ery one that have tried 
capou-. Thex are undouhtedlv the hcsl eating to he ha<l. I'nder 
])resent ci.ndilions the\ ai'e not an exjiensixe luxurw hut within the 
reach ( il e\'ei'\( me. 



CHAP'iER II. 

CAPONS AS Foster mothers. 

Did \-()U ever see a cap(.)ii with a Im-oocI of little chicks? No! 
Well, you have certainly missed something worth an effort to 
see, even though you neve'" expect to raise a chicken as long as 
yoti live. It certainly is an interesting sight to see a capon per- 
forming the mother's duties. When it comes to taking real good, 
attentive, loving care of a brood of newly-hatched chick^ the 
capon has the "old hen"" beaten at every turn. In the first place, 
his phimage is much more abundant, the feathers are longer and 
softer and his spread of wing is much greater than Madam Hen; 
in fact, his accommodations are nuich more ample in every re- 
spect. The capon has a commanding cluck, cluck that the little 
chicks seem to understand perfectly, and when the occasion de- 
mands he has the capacity to raise his voice so that the young- 
sters that have straved some distance away may hear him and 
regain the brocxi in time to avoid danger. Best of all, the hawk 
does not M_\' that can take a chick from a good iJarred Plymouth 
Rock ca|)on. ( )n varic)us occasions I have seen a capon with a 
brood ()f chicks take a running shot at a hawk, the I)ig yellow 
kind, that was in the act of seizing a chick and knock the hawk 
as nutch as ten feet rolling on the ground. As the hawk regained 
his wings he lost no time in getting away, and no further trouble 
was experienced from that particular bird. ( )f course, it is un- 
derstood that a ca])on does not set and hatch the eggs, lUit he 
will and does cluck and hover a motherless brood of chicks will- 
ingl_\- and much better than the best of hens. All hens are not 
alike, some are l)ctter than others with chicks; cai)ons are the 
same in that respect, some are better than others. 

Righth' handled, we have never seen a caiion that would re- 
fuse to mother a iM'ood of newly-hatched chicks. In connection 
with the incubator, they have i)roved to be the best method of 
brooding the little chicks that we have ever tried. Always ready 
to take the little fluffy balls of down and care for them until they 
are mature chickens, if not weaned from them sooner. Where it 
is advisable to change the father ca])on from a bunch of larger to 
smaller chicks, it is of course necessary to wean him from the 
larger ()nes. To accomi)lish this it is best to shut the capon u]) in 
rather a dark place, for three or four days, entirely awa\- from 
the old brood. The \dunger chicks ma\ then be ])laced under 
him some night and left the following (la\- with him. after which 
he will usualK' take up with them and no further trouble l)e ex- 
perienced, it is no trouble to start a capon with little chicks in 
the first ])lace. The\- just naturally take to \oung chicks the same 
as a duck t.ak'es to water. It is imixirtant tliat the ca])on be (|uite 
gentle or he will be more ditiicult to handle. b"or best results ha\-e 
a small ward with a coop in it. 1 'lace tlie capon in this ward a few 



(la\'N l)cf()re M'U intend tt i ,^ivc him the cliicks. It will i^ivc him 
time to get lMo;itc(l and at home in hi< new (|narter^. Lf the capon 
has never raided cliicks hefore it i> hest that the chicks be about 

one week old to siaii him with. As the hr 1 coo]) has no i)erches 

in it, the capon will .go to roost scpiatting on the tloor. just about 
dark take the little chicks out and i)lace them under his wings, one 
oi" two at a time, until the\- are all under. ddie capon will not ol)- 
ject to this, hut will i-ather like it. Should he for any reason seem 
to l)e restless, tickle him under the chin and talk to him a little in 
a soothing \'oice, and all will soon he well. \'ou w ill have to be up 
good and earl\' the next morning to see how things ])rogress. 

L'sualh the next moianng the ca])ou will be talking, scolding 
and hoxering the little fellows the same as the hen. Sometimes one 
will seem to be in doubt, will hold up one foot in his feather^, 
standing on one leg, and not sa\- much. W here the}' perform in 
this maunei- lake the chicks entirel_\- away from them and tr_\- it 
again the -econd night, in the meantime kee|>ing the capon confined 
t(.> the conp and as dark- as possible. I'.y the second morning the 
most obstinate of them will l)e clucking and i-ead\' to hght for the 
brood. Aftei- lhe\- ha\'e once learned how to do it right. )-oung 
newdv hatched chicks nia\- be gi\-en to them with ])erfect safety. 
In warm weather one t'ajiou will care for thirty chicks, but we 
have found it much better to ha\-e onl\- twenty clucks to the capon. 
.\t the big Topeka l'oultr\- Show in januai-\-, l''l], < ieorge I'.euoy. 
of the ninglev Dell I'arm, C /edar Vale, Kan., had on exhibition 
two capons, with twent\- new lydiatched chicks to each capc)U. The 
chicks were about one week old, were hatched in an incul)ator, and 
slui)])ed from ( edar \ ale to d'ojjcka the two coldest days of that 
\ear, the tberuienuetei- registering !_' degrees below zero. The 
chicks, going astrax, were on the road two nights and one day, 
without feed or water, ddie little chicks were right in a box 14xoO 
inches, with the capoirs, and came through without the loss of a 
single chick. 'I'laiK- a remarkable iierfoi-p.iance. Something that 
woukl have been im])ossible with the best ( d" mother hens. l)ut only 
a fair example of what may be expected id" a cajiou with little 
chicks. Ilundreds (,f people saw these birds, as the\- were the 
center n\ atti'actiou at that gi'eat show . Mi". r.euo\- is a breeder of 
I'.arred I'hnioulh Kocks with a national i-eputatiou. birds bred 
and raised b\- him haxing won more ])rizes ,il the reall\- large and 
up-to-(late siiows than any other breedei' of that variety in the 
('entral West, .\lan\- of his prize winners were raised b\- cajjous, 
that being the onl\- systeiu on his large poulti-\- farm, having dis- 
carded the br lers entirely in favor ui the capons. In commun- 
ities whei-e i-a])ons are well known the\ are used almost exclusively 
for raising little chiid<s. It makes no difference if the chicks are 
hatched under hens instead of incubators, it pa\s to take them 
trom the hen and let the capon care for them: put the hen back 
on the laving iob and let her fill the egg basket while daddy capon 
scratches for the \dung chicks. It seems hard for sume to believe 
that capons will actually do all this, and this p. lint is well illus- 
trated in the follow ing tiaie incident : 



A certain l)ank cashier in ()ur town became ver\- much inter- 
ested in capons as a pastime. He secured a few cockerels and 
operated on them, taking a great deal of interest in the work as a 
diversion from his more strenuous occupation, and incidentally, 
enjc^ving a fine capon feast with friends now and then. On one 
such occasion early last si)ring, soon after he had started his first 
capon with little chicks, his little grandson, just learifing to talk 
real plain, was amongst the favored ones. The cashier, buhljling 
over with enthusiasm and delight with his success as producer and 
trainer of exi)ert mother nurses, called the guests out to see for 
themselves. The sight was new and impressive, as the banker scat- 
tered bits of corn bread before the capon and his brood of baby 
chicks. Everybody was very (|uiet. contemplating the scene. 
About the only sound to be heard was the encouraging cluck, 
cluck of the old bird as he insisted that the little fellows j^artake 
of the feast as he broke apart the most choice morsels for them. 
All at once, in a very solemn voice, the grandson inquired: "."^ay, 
Grand|)a. is that a daddv hen?" 



CHAPTER TIT. 

HIGH PRICES FOR CAPONS. 

Capiins liriii:^' lii,L;li ])ricc^; tlicro will always 1)C a demand for 
them far in exee^> of the ^ii]>i)ly. Some maker> of eajKiii instru- 
ments ha^■e enlar,i;ed mi the priee^ ohtainahle fur capun^ and nver- 
stated the fact:-. Nd duuht hut that do {<> 30 cents ]>er jidund can 
he (ihtained in cei'tain aia'sti >cratic seetinus fi>r di-e^seil capon in 




jkn I'.iUMV. I\ii ^ 



l'li..i.. l.\ OcK' Saiiiii. 



fancy style. Ihiwexei". that is imt what interests iIh- average pvo- 
dueer. It is the price i-eadil\ ohtainahle on the open market that 
should go\-ern them. ( ai-efnl o]i.ser\ations co\-ering the last five 
years auij hased on Central Western conditions show that the 



average price in season for capons to be right around 20 cents per 
pound. In some instances as low as 15 cents ])er pdund. live 
weight. Farther East, where capons are better known, the price 
was much better. 

It is not a (juestion of how much }r)u can get f()r the capon; 
the point, is you cannot afford t(3 Ije without ca])(ins. even though 
you never intend to sell one. (Jne cajxin will more than ])ay for a 
set of tools that will last forever. As a source of food supply they 
cannot be ignored. With a good set of instruments in your posses- 
sion you at once have unlimited access to the greatest table deli- 
cacy obtainable in ancient or modern times, a so-called luxury that 
was out of the reach of the ])o(_ir man and not always obtainable 
by the rich. Modern down-t(j-date invention, together with a little 
"gumption" on the ])art of the consumer, has ])laced this dish 
within the reach of all. As a source of i)rotit no other ])art of the 
poultry lousiness offers so great a return as cai)on>. It is safe to 
figure that they will always bring twice a^ much ])er ])ound as 
hens. They will average al)out twice as heavy, juxt as the finished 
steer will outweigh and outsell the cow. 

As a means of recreation "capijnizing"" ])resents a Nubject full 
of interest and rumiing o\-er with possiljilities. liankers, teachers, 
clerks, and business men in all lines of work get great enjoyment 
from a few capons. The o])eration is very interesting, requiring 
a certain amount of skill, lint it is soon learned and easily per- 
formed. After the operation comes the pleasure of watching the 
capons grow and develop. Eater there is the pleasure of feasting 
on their sweet, juicy fiesh. In addition there is the satisfying 
knowdedge that tlie bird is jjure and wholesome, and in tlie proper 
condition. 

Children esjjecially take great interest in the operation and 
in watching the birds develop. Hoys i:>r girls of over 10 \ears 
being very quick to get the hang (_)f the operation and soon become 
expert at it. Note the picture of Helen Beuoy. Helen learned the 
operation herself, practicing first on a dead bird, one that had just 
been killed to eat. The season just passed Helen worked on many 
birds, and quit the season without the loss of a single one. The 
picture is from an actual photo without retouching in an\' way. 
Taken bv Ocie Sartin wdiile Helen was operating on a live bird. 
At the time the ])icture was taken Helen was only 10 years old. 
You will note that she is using a set of Automatic Safety tools; 
these are the kind ()f tools that make real cajjons. 



CHAPTER IV. 

CAPON TOOLS, ANCIENT, MEDIAEVAL AND MODERN 

111 >( iiiif i)f the ukk'st \\ritin,i;> in details of ancient feasts we 
find ca])()iis mentioned in unmistakable tei"ni>. ju^t wlm, when or 
where the art \\as tirst practiced can only be >m'niiNcd. I '>}' let- 
ting ciur iniaginalion have a little ]»la}', is it not reasonable to >,u\)- 
post that b\athei- Adam, in the ( iarden of I'.den, tir^t observed the 
good effects U])on othei" animals of his and love's food snp])ly. 
Consulting togethei' u])on this subject, the}' decided that their 
happiness would not be complete without some ca])ons, with 
which to make their feasts complete. I'roceeding along this line, 
thev dressed a fowl to locate the parts to be remo\ed. It would 
then be eas}' for them to see that these organs could l)e reached 
1)V simi)l\- .se])araling and spreading the last t\\"o ribs. This ac- 
comi)Iislied, the organs were no doubt seciu'ed in the loop ol some 
fibrous substance, or ])erhaps a coarse hair, and gradually twisted 
out. I'oming on down to the Middle Ages, our infonuation be- 
comes more definite, the indications pointing to China as the place 
where we get oiu" first real knowledge of capon tools. At this 
time some inipro\ements were noted. Tlie ribs were S])read 
apart with a jiiece of fish or \vhale bc)ne, a horse hair was doul)led 
and passed tbi'ough a hollow tube of some kind, ])erhai)s six 
inches long and slighth' smaller than a lead i>ecil. d his tube may 
ha\'e been a bone I rom a g(jose wing, or a small ci'ane's wing, or 
jjossibly a small joint of bamboo, ddie double end of the hair 




Some Old Style Out-of-Datc Testicle Remmers. 

forme(l a loo)) at one end of the tube, and the free ends protruding 
at the other, the looj) was inserte<l in the liird, with the organ to 
be removed inside the loop. The tube was then held still with 
one hand and the two ends of the hair sawed back and forth until 
the organ dro])ped off. when it was seciu'cd in some manner and 
remoN'cd. A h'ttle later on in an effort to get a testicle remover 

10 



that would retain that organ in its grasp and l)ring it cut at one 
operation, the spHt spoon or scoop was devised. This tool re- 
sembles somewliat a small spoon, with the howl hent at right 
angles after the manner of a claw-hammer. The organ to be 
removed was secured in the bowl of the sjxion. With Uie cords 
in the slit, the tool was then turned round and round, like you 
would turn a thread to twist it, until the cords were twisted off, 
usually at the point where they pass through the >lit. In many 
instances a part of the testicle itself was twisted off and drawn 
back into the bird, resulting in >o man\- slips that this stvle of tool 
never became popular. 

In more modern times the inventors, as a rule, seemed to be 
unable to get away from these two forms of tools so far as the 
testicle remover was concerned. As a matter of fact, verv little 
if any im])rovement was made on the tools as handed down bv 
the Chinese, a common coil >i)ring with the ends bent down being 
used to hold the ribs afxul in ])lace of the whalebone. In some 
instances a fine wire was used instead of a hair. A small si^oon- 
shaped ])iece of metal was fastened to the old type tube to catch 
the organ after it was sawed off. j'.ut no ])rovisions were made 
in any of them to remove the cords and membranes, which were 
the real cause of so many slips. The split spoon, or sccjoj), was 
worked on and se\-eral attempts were made to im|)rove it, but it 
ne\er reached a state of ])erfection so that a ])atent could be ob- 
tained on it. The two hah'es of the bowl were cut into, hinged 
and shar])ened like a pair of scissors. The\' were so constructed 
that when the testicle was secured l)etween them, the two parts 
of the tool were I;)rought together and the organ cli])])e(l off. At 
first glance this tool woidd look to be an improvement, but such 
is not the case. Its failure was due to the fact that vou could not 
cut the cord at an}- point except right up against the testicle, on 
account of having to lift that organ with the cutting edges before 
the_\' could be brought together without ako cutting the sjiermatic 
artery. If that artery is cut the bird will l)]eed to death before 
he can be turned hiose. ddie testicle l)eing ,<oft like jellv. a ])art 
rif it wa> sometimes drawn down between the cutting edges and 
clipped off. always resulting in an undesirable slip. [between 
these two dangers it is almost impossible to get a real ca|)on with 
the clipping type of tool. Several attempts were made with tools 
constructed on the forceps plan, but all of these were cumber- 
some, awkward and hard to use. as well as being ver\- ex])ensive. 
selling at prices too high to justify the outlaw Tlie first real 
improvement in a testicle remo\er that has ap])eared in modern 
times was illustrated in Poultry Culture, under date of June lOth, 
VHi). in an article written for that ])ai)er 1)_\- ( leorge lleuow of 
Cedar \'ale, Kan. This remover was of the forceps t\pe. made, 
so the article says, from two ])ieces of |)itchfork tines, the grasp- 
ing ends being flattened out and shaped on the order of a small 
spoon, the inside of each spoon being cut out, leaving a narrow 
rim forming two hollow loops. The testicle was gras])ed between 
the two loops, a clear view of the work being obtained through 

11 



them at all times. The toticle was secured between the loups, the 
cords gras])ed I)\' their narrow rims. The origan was then turned 
over a few times, twi^tint;- the cords and membranes together, 
which \vere then stretched out fijr ])erhai)s an inch and cut off 
with a thin, nan-ow -bladed knife close up to the bird"> back, the 
entire organs, meml)ranes and cords being taken out. rndoul)t- 
cdh- this lodl was a great success. However, it had to be made 




As lllu5lr;it<-il in Poultry Culture. The First Real Irrprov cniciit in a Tevtitii- Kemover, 



from ver\- fine steel, with a iewelryman's hinge in the joint, and 
altogether it was e,\]>eiisi\-c to make, which no doubt ke])t it from 
becoming popular. .Mr. llenoy states that the chief objection to 
this tool, besides the price, was that the hinge could not be made 
tight enough to k'cep the grasping ends in line. It l)eing three 
inches from the grasping ];)oints to the ri\et in the hinge, in so 
delicate a tool ihe points would wol)ble a trille, in some instances 
sufficient to cause the death of the fowl being operated on. In 
order to take uj) this jilax' and make a hinge that would abso- 
luteh' Iceej) the grasjiing pijints in line, it was seen that the joint 
would ha\e to have more width; that is. be more in i>roi)ortion t«3 
the length of the gras])ing arms. W'orkiug with this object in 
\iew, .\lr. I'.eiK.i)- hit u|.)on the idea of a coil sjiring joint that 
would take up an\- play automatically, resulting in the testicle 
remo\er coxered under the lleuoy & Loshbough patent and sold 
the season of l*'ll in the 1 )ingley Dell Ca])onizing Set. This was 
a mightv good instrument and ga\'e excellent satisfaction, very 
few sli])S developing where it was used, even in the hands of the 
novice. 'J1iis tool was sent out adjusted to half a hair width. The 
.grasping edges were dovetailed, or beveled outward, so that it 
was almost impossible to grasp the artery. In fact, this was a 
practical, safe tool to use. 

Later this tool was im]:)r(ived. a sjiring added that held it 
shut when the organ was secured, and this feature jiatented under 
separate patent. As a testiciv, icmover this jjlaceil this tool in a 
class Iw itself, nothing else being at all like it. 

Not Content with the success of this excellent instrument, 
Mr. Beuoy kept at it. ITe said there seemed to be a big demand 
for a testicle remox'er that was a reliable too] and could be sold 
for a little monew without being a cheap article. Working with 

12 



that idea in view, he produced and patented the Automatic Tes- 
ticle Remover. This Httle instrument is the best thinj^- in the 
way of a testicle remover that has been constructed uj) to date. 
It is made from spring steel wire and is very light. To use it, a 
slight pressure of the hand to cause it to open is all that is re- 
quired. It stays open of its own accord, and shuts auttnuatically 
when the release is touched with the thunil), tlie safet}- clutch |)re- 
venting it from shutting with a snap. It would seem that it is 
impossible to make a better testicle remo\cr than this one. Low 
cost price, automatic action, safety clutch, and ccrlaint\- of results. 
There have been numerous attempts to inipiuxe the testicle re- 
movers by different ])arties at various times, but very little was 
ever attempted with the "spreader," the tool for holding the ribs 
apart while the operation is performed. Many operators and so- 
called experts were content to use the old method of hobling 
them apart with a piece of whalebone. Most of the ]Xitent sets 
were sent out with common coil spring syjreaders. If chickens' 
ribs were all alike and a helper always reads, this style of si)reader 
would not have been so bad. However, some are easy and some 
are hard to spread; there was no way of adjusting the coil s])ring 
spreader. In a tender bird it would break the rib. and perhajis in 
the verv next one it would fail to open them wide enough. Then 
it would not stay in position unless some one held it. 

After perfecting the testicle removers, Mr. Heuoy invented 
and secured patents on two different "spreaders," which are en- 
tirelv different in action and principle. They are radically dif- 
ferent from anv other spreaders ever offered the public Ijefore. 
Personalh- we prefer the one called "The Humane Spreader." 
This tool is constructed to fit the bird. It stavs where it is init 




Tlie Hiim,ine Spre.ider. 

without being held. Its actions are entirel}' under the control of 
the operator. It opens by means of a slide, sto])])ing at any de- 
sired point. The other spreader referred to i> known as the 
"Automatic Spreader," and as its name indicates it works auto- 
matically. It has the advantage over any other st}le of spreader 
on account that it may be used with one hand. It stays in posi- 
tion and is very easy to use. The princi|)le difference between 
these two spreaders is largely a matter of personal choice, as both 
are good, either one far in advance of any spreader that we have 
ever seen. 



13 



CHAPTER \'. 
PREPARING TO CAPONIZE. 

The hi'st lliini; iicccssarx'. (if niursc, is a l)ir(l nf tlic ri.L;lit 
degree of develnjimriit ami in the projiei- CdiKhtioii. The iai;ht 
stage of devel< ipniciit i^ a^ iiii])(irtant a^ the CdiKhtidii, eitlier of 
these two |)(lint■^ not i-iglit will cau-e a lai\ge per cent of failure>. 
Alan\- ])eoplc ask Jii iw iild should the hii'ds he. or how nuieh sliould 
they weigli, when the\ arc right to eaponize. How old the_\' 
should he or how lari^c the\- are is "wide of the mark:'" what tlie\- 
reall)' should kmiw is the jirojier stale of dc\-elo])Uieut. This 
stage ot the hird's i^i-nwtli is hard to explain so that all will un- 
derstand alike. Miffei'ent hrecds and difft'i-ent Hocks of the same 
hreed wary as to the linic and inannci- of their dc\elo])uicnt. Xo 
set rules can he gi\cn that w^uld he just right in e\ er\- instance. 
The pi'oper time to eaponize is "jusi liehn'e the hird reaches sexlial 
matm-itw"" ( ienei'alK s]ieak'ing. when the hii'ds reach one jiound 
and a half to two pounds in weight. Leghoiais and all small 
])reeds should he worked on -mailer e\en that that, as the\- de- 
\'elo]) the generati\e oi'gans much s<ionei- than the larger hi-ee(Is. 
All fowls of earl\ spi'ing hatches dexelop sexualK' nuich sooner 
than those ( d' summer oi' fall hatches, k'oi- that reason the earl_\- 
hatched oues cannot he let run so long as the latei" hatched hirds. 
"it alwa\s sounds had" to try to exiilain the ]ii-o])er time to eapon- 
ize on ])aper, \et a \er\- little pi'actice will -how you when the)' 
are just right. ( >nce \ou get the right idea, it will he easy to 
tell the ones that are "just right,'" hy the look of the fowl. The 
main thing is to stai't, "get at it,"" the rest will come to yon all 
right. A little practice and \ ou are an exi)ert. ^'ou will iind 
the oues that are just riL;ht. in a \'ariet\- o| dilfereut sizes and 
ages. The essential i'ei|uiremenl is to ha\e the testicle and its 
attatTmeuts in just the I'iglu stale o| dex'clopuieut. 

These oi-gaiis should he iust ahout the size id' a common 
na\\ heau : in no case larger. SlighlK' smallei'. ])referred. .\fter 
\ ou are in ]ii'aclice. the work ma\ he dime where the le-licles 
are no lai-^er than ]>luinp gi'ains o| wheat. The}- sliould he ahout 
the same shajie and coloi- as a nice hrii^ht plunij) grain of soft 
wiutei- wheat. ihe cvpei't will get the hest ]io-sihle results 
where the or-^aus ai"e in this stage ol de\e!opmeut. The organs 
should he a little lai'^ci" for the heginuei- as they can l)e seen to 
hetlei- adwanta^e. With old-fashioiu'il clumsy tools, it was of 
coui-se, impos-,ihle to do the work, where the o]-^aus were S(t 
small. Thei"e was not i-o. nu euoui^h inside the hird to use the 
old tools. With the moilei-n. .automatic tooK, it is po--ilile and 
much hetler li > oper.ale on small hiial-. The jiictnre shows a 
l>aia-ed Rock' ( ocTerel. in iust the right stage (>\ dexelopment. 

I'>\- not li;i\iug the hirds "iust rii;ht,'" has caused mau\' 
failures. I should sa\ that there was ahout three weeks in the 

14 



life of eacli male bird when he is just right to caponi/A'. llefore 
that period, he is too small and afterwards, he i> tuo much de- 
veloped. ( )f cotu'se, it is understood that tlie o])eration can he, 
and is performed on birds of all sizes and ages with success, 
in so far as the operation is concerned. A fowl that is fully 
develoi)ed, sexually, at the time he is ca])onized. nevci- becomes 
a capon. lie is simply a stag, the same as where a bull oi- boar 
is operated on. He will only sell as "a stag,"" with the excefition 
that a bird of this kind is called "a slip." In realitw a stag or 
]iroud male. After a cockerel begins to crow and his liead and 
comb reddens up he is too far advanced t(^ ever make a capon. 




Tlu- I'hi.tii Shows Mrs. fieorge I'euoy and ( )ne of Her llancil Rock Cockerels 
"Just Right to Caponize." 

They luust be worked on before they get that far along, if good 
results are to be expected. 

Next to having the birds in the right stage of development, 
comes the condition. It is possible for the expert to operate on 



15 



tluMii in iDDsl any kind "i niudilion. \'el it i> vvvy ]imi,i- jiulg- 
nicnt for him h> altenipt it unless thc}- are riyiit. 'J'lie birds 
sliould \k .i;ri i\\ ini;" and in lhri\-in;; stale of liealtli. A^ the (irgai!> 
to l)c ]-cniii\cd aix' inside the hinh it wiU l)c ea'^}- ti > understand 
that it" the l)ii-d i> fuH i>i Ux-(\. his inside hxin.gs will l)e ])uffed np 
and expanded. Takin.L; u]) ah the nioni and shutting' out the light 
so that the oi-gan tn ])e renio\'ed eanuot he found or removed for 
lack ot room. h"or this reason, "it is vei-\- ini]ioi-tant" that the 
hirds to he t'apoiiized he confined to a small yard or coop and 
not allowed an\thing to eat for at least twenty-four hours, just 
l)efore the o|iei-ation is to he performed. It takes nature alxjut 
that long to exhaust the food -up]ily that the hird usuall}- has 
on hand. 

Assunung that the hii'ds are growing and healthy, the rule 
for con<lition shonld he: "■(/onhne the hirds to he ca])onized 
on the nioi-ning id' the da\- hefore yon intend to operate." Be 
sure they do not ha\e an_\thing to ea'. A little water may be 
given the first morning of theii' continemenl and o|)erate the 
next morning. ( >r an\- time on the ne.xt day alter the\' were 
shut up. J^^)r the l.)eginner a good light is necessary, right out 
in the sun will he Ix'st. N'ou can then see the inner works of 
the birds to jterfection. The testicles occup_\- ahont the same 
])osition in a bird that the kidneys do in a h(jg or rabbit. Xo 
danger of getting the wrong organs, as the testicles are the only 
yellow i-oloi-e(l objects \'ou will see in the bird. It the bird is 
in good health the testicles will be yellow and shaped like a grain 
of wheat, oi" slighth- longer, the other ])arts lA the bii-d are red 
or nearlv so. I he testicles are alwax-s yellow ov whitish }'ellow 
exce])t in a diseased bird when the\- -onietimes become black or 
])artly so. 



CHAPTER \I. 
THE PROPER TOOLS. 

After you liavc the hir(l> just right. CdiiK's the timls. Suc- 
cess will (lc])cn(l (in their ci instruction and working;- ])rincii)le> a^-' 
much a> on the hird and its condition. With the ])ro])er tool^ 
and the hird^ right. an\'one can make a capon. Tools that work 
with a hair fme wire or that are constructed on the s])lit-scoo]) 
|)rinci|)le and the ones that have clipping attachments are no 
good. A large per cent of los> hy death and slips may lie ex- 
pected where thc\' are used. The reason for this loss is clear, 
wdien it is understood that tools of the aho\'e character must 
come in actual contact with the testicle itself hetore the tool can 
he mani])ulated in an effectix'e manner. This heing the case, 
it of coiu-se follows, that the te>ticle attachments must he severed 
right ui> against that organ. In man\- instances a small jiart of 
the testicle is left in the hird. resulting in "a sli])" every time. 
\Miere that st\'le of tools ai'c used the coi'd memhranes and at- 
tachments are all left in the hii'd. And these are very apt to 
produce "a sli]).'" 

A real successful testicle remo\-er nuist l)e so constructed 
that it Vvill open up wide enough to ])ass entirely over the testicle 
and gras]) the coi'ds and memhranes that hold it in place. Idle 
tool must then retain that grasp without letting the slightest 
particle e^cajie. As the te-ticle lies very clo^e to the spermatic 
arter\- and sometimes attached to it. an\- one will understand. 
"Idiat an\- clipping c<intri\ance with a shar]) cutting edge" is 
a]it to se\-er this arterw resulting in the death of the hii^d. ddie 
successful remo\-er nuist he he\'eled outward like a do\-e's tail 
and tU at the connecting edges like a s])lit haii'. This will then 
permit of the grasping memhei's heing worked down hetween the 
spermatic artery and testicle without danger of injm-iiig either. 

ddie instrument then ha^ a gras]) on the t-onnecting corils 
and memhrane> with the testicle inside its loojis. 'I he cor<N and 
attachment ma\- then he graduall}/ stretched out away from the 
arterv and the Jiird's hack, and cut off with a thin, sharp, narrow - 
hiaded knife or small t-urved hlunt shears. Handled in this wa\' 
there is no danger of killing the hird. It does iiot seem to hurl 
them in the least at this time, and as the tool is im-ned o\er sewral 
times hefore cutting, the coi'ds ;ire twisted togelhei- lik'e a string, 
thus >topping the hlood and the hird will not hleed at all. it 
])i"operly done. 

The cords, memhranes and attachments are all taken out as 
well as the testicles, so there cannot he an_\- slips (kweloi), he- 
cause the oi)eration is a clean one. 

ddiese desirahle features are found in hut two i-euiovers, one 
of which is called the Automatic Safety Testicle Remover, the 
other is known as the Dingley Dell Testicle Remover. 

17 



Next in importance to the testicle remover, comes tlie 
spreader, u>e(l f^r Imldino- tlie ril~)S apart, wliilc tlie operation is 
j)erforme(l. Alnidst an\ kind of spreader can he nsed with fair 
snccess. The mo^t ciimnnni kind in u^e heretofore is the orcH- 
nar\- coil ^prin;;- s]ireader. It is made nf s])ring wire and seHs 
f(ir t\\ent\-li\e ti> lil'tx' cent^, or can l)e made from an old piece 
(if heil->])i'in,i4'. The tmuhk' with this kind of spreader is, that 
no two hirds will jire-^enl the same anmnnt of resistance, the 
spring' ma\- he ^ti'oiii; enon.^h to hreak the rihs of one hird and 
not strong- enonj^h to open the next one. ddiere is no way to 




The Automatic S.ifety Testicle ReDin\er. PateiitPil. 

regulate it. It is hard to insert into the hird and will not stay 
in ]dace without some one to hold it. At the same time, it can 
he nsed snccessf ull\-, and has Ix-en for many }ears. Princii)ally 
on account of its cheapness and the lack of an_\'thing better. 
The "llnmane .Si)reader," which Mr. I'.euoy recently patented 
and afterwards disjxised of to Idle l'a])on Tool C'o. of Cedar 
\"ale, Kansas, is far and awa_\- ahead of an\thin,i;- else we have 
ever seen in the way of a sjireader. .Vote the illustration. 




Humane Spreader. 



The "llmnane .Spreader" is constructed to ht the bird's 
hodw It is w^vt] from the same side that the oitei'ator works on. 
The Coil spi-in,^ hin^e lits up in the hirdV thi.L;h, the handles rest- 
ing on the operating tahle. thus holding it lirnil\- in position. 
This spi-eadei" closes automaticallw making it eas_\- to insert be- 
tween the ribs. To s]iread the cut. pres> the handles together 
with the thumb and fore hnger, the slide di-ops hack by gravity 
as the two han<lles come together, holding the tool spread at any 
desii-ed width. onl\- ])ressure enough is used to open the ribs just 
right, no unnecessai'x' ])ain is caused the bird. A coil s])ring 
spreader keejis up a stead\' ])ressui-e on the bird all the time, 
resulting in much pain. 

We like this sjireader nuich the best id' an\- we have ever 
used. It is very convenient, affords ])lent\- of i-oom to work, 
and has no complicated parts to get out oi order. We have tried 

18 



other spreaders, and most of them work all right, but we be- 
lieve the "Humane Spreader" presents many advantages, not 
found in any other spreader. The spreader is the tool that gives 
you the view of the work to be performed ; it is desirable that a 
good one be used; mine of them are expensive: we suggest that 
\-(:)u use the best. 

A>i(le from the testicle remover and spreader, the rest of 
the equipment i^ not so important. It will be necessary to have 
some kind of a knife. A good pocket knife is the best we have 
ever tried. It should have a small blade that will hold a thin 
shar|) edge. The handle of a pocket knife affords a good grip 
and we like them much better than the ones that are usually 
sent out with caponizing sets. You will have to have a tearing 
hook, and pro))e, we like them combined, probe on one end and 
hook on the other. The hook is for tearing the thin luembrane, 
or tissue that cover the intestines, and obstructs the view when 
the bird is first opened up with the spreaders. The tissue is 
too thin to be cut and must be torn, it is al)out like wet tissue 
paper. The i)robe is not used much, but once in awhile it will 
come in handy to press the intestines l)ack with, in case they are 
a little too full and obstruct the view. 

Some sort of operating table and means of fastening the 
l)irds will also be required. An empty barrel turned bottom 
side up, makes a good table and is the right height. A brick 
broken in two and each half tied to a cord about three feet long, 
with a hook attached to the free end, makes a good way to fasten 
the Ijird. The hooks are to pass over the string, when it is 
wound around the lord's legs or wings and saves tying a knot 
each time. 



19 



CHAPTER \II. 
THE OPERATION. 

Tui-ii an cni|ily Iiai"iX'l liotl'iiii side U|) U< u^c I'm]- an (i]iri"al- 
iiii; talilc It is the ri,L;lU lK'i,L;lit and ran't Itc licat I'l ii' tlir ]uir- 
pdsc. ScrniX' twii ])iccL's dt CMfd. almut three leet lim^ with 
a hiMil< in ime end ol eaeli. Tie a liall hi'iek \n tlie nther end 
III eaeli ri ii'd and \ i ui ai'e read\' tn prdceeil. IMaee the edek- 
ei'el (in the t<>], of \\]v harrel ri.L;ht ■^\Ac \\\). Wraji une nf the 
eiii'ds twiee aiiinml his k'j^s and lasten with the limik. Wrap 
the (illier eiaa] ai'imnd his \\in;4s at sfcnnd join! and fa-ten same 




r«^.iSS* 



^'t^**^.. 



I'Msilioii ,,11 l;,-iii>l, l'i-o|H-ily i-\iMcnr.l f,.r tin- ( >] ,i_-i at i. .11. 

as tile dtlier one. sliTleh Idni unt on tup i>\ the liaiTel as lai" 
as p^l^sihle, k't the \\(.'ii;lits Iian^; ddwn i m eaeh side (il the 
l)anx'l as ^lidwn in the ent. 

X'dw pluek' a lew t'eatliers I'mm jnsl in fi'dnt iil the hi]) 
jdinl. ( Tliese ai"e jn-l i-ead\' tn imaih, anywaw and will eoine 



20 



out casih". ) Stand nii the front side of the hird so that the 
l)reast is toward \ou. Locate the last two i-il)> witli tlie fore- 
fini^er of the rii^lil hand. ])hu-e the sniaU l)lade of a shai"]) knife 
l)et\\i'en tlieni. (See out.) Mold it there with a tirm. stead\- 




)ressure, (h"a\v it forward. ])i-esxin,<4' down hard all the time 




Make the Cut One [ncli LmiL; U anv I'.loiicl Slinild Appear. I'au-.r a Muinenl au.l 
W ipL It up W'itli a Dit nf Cotton. 



r>e >ure tlie hlade i)a^-e^ throui^h. entirel}" ^el)aratin,!o- the i-il)^ 
wlien it hi-st stai'ts to move at that i)oint. Then luake the cut 
al)out one incli loUi.;-. (See the illustration.) The idea is to 
separate the ri])s without cutting any nniscles and if the hlade 
passes entirely thron.gh at the first attempt thi> will be accoiu- 
plished and no hleedin,!^- will follow. It will he necessar_\- to 
pres.s down \er\- hard on the knife. a> that is important. The 
pressure sepai'ate the rih^ without cutting' the musclc-. thereh}- 
])reventiny an_\' blood from following'. 

21 



The rut made, insert the spreader and open the wounrl so 

tliat you ran ^ee 1<i \\i>i'l<. (See cnl sli(]\\in^- s])reader in ])osi- 




,l,'i ln~.il..l. Sliouin- llir Mrlli.i,] .,| I --in- tlic 'l\':,v\M- [[■•■<].. X-lr tlu 

Ii,l,- ill I'laiii \\,\v I'll. In- tlir 'lliiii ImIih .ir 'Pi^siu- Cnvcnno. 

Acln.il I'hol.i W'illioiit I'.ikiii- in Any W.iy. 



li(.n.) The tii'^t tliini^ lliat \ mu will -ee is a ihin skin nr niein- 
hrane rdX'erin^ llie inteslnie^. Willi the leaiani; hunk make a 
^mall (ipenini; in ihi^, wTieh w ih hriiii; the np])ei- testicle into 
\iew. a -mall \ellii\\i-h nhjeel almnt the -ize d' a na\y hean, 
Kin.i; up a.^ainst the haekhnne, >iv neai"l_\- so, wilh a hlne artery 
]U>{ hack' of it and sometime- attached lo il. ('are must he 
taken not to cut or tear this ai'terw or the hiril is a dead one. 
Iii-ert the testicle i-enio\ei- with the loops held ti,i;htl_\' tooethei". 
pushing; the intestines hack' and out o|" the wa_\- when necessary, 
with them. ^'on will he ahle to see tln-ou.^h the loops wlien 
\ I 'U haw them in the rii^ht place. ddien ojien the iusti-ument 
and wdiT the loops nw\- the testicle, allow in,-" it to shut -i-aduall)' 
with the testicle inside the loo]>s. 'Idieu tuiai the tool half 
round, and hack once or twii'e, so as to loosen the orj^an as 
much as ]iossilil(.'. I'.i.' siu'e \ on ha\e the .uras|)iiio parts ol the 
tool in the ri^hl position and then twist the testicle ai-ound a 
ft'w^ times (like \on wnuld to twist a coi'd oi- strin-), di-awin^- 
the parts outwai'd all the lime -o as to siiTtch the cords out for 
ahout an inch, ddien I'c.acdi in with the small kinle hlade and 
cut the twisted cords and memhranes off .ahout half w a_\' he- 

22 



tweeii the testicle and wIktc i]k-\ atlaeh (o ihc I)ii-,I. (See ilIu^- 
tratKMi, ciitti]]- tlie testicle off.) Keiiiove the spreader, turn the 
hird over and repeat the ()])eralion on the other side, proceeding" 
as hefore. It is ])ossil,]c to .c;et hoth testicles from the same 
side, hut it is harder and much more daniLjerous to do; and the 



F 


m 


^^^^^^^R^^^HpiMRI 


r 








% 


>- 


^ 




/ 



futliiig the Testicle I )tf. X.He the J'.unt ,.f the Knife I'lidei- the ( d-an. hr..iii 
an Aetnal I'hot... 

hird reco\ei-> (|uickei- wliei-e it is ojiened up on hoth sides. I )o 
not sew U]) the cut. Wlien the capon -ets on his feet the cut 
in the skin will he up under his wini;- and not o\'er the rilis 
at all. (See illustration, three dead hirds showing; muscles.) 



23 



T lie Alimc 'I lirrc I'lLluros Air- 
From Photos of the Same Bir.l 
Dnsscd and Skinned in Order 
«• Shou ilie Miiselrs as Thr^ 
Actiiall\ Are. Note the Fir^t 
Pu-turr Shows the Bir.l Stretehed 
Out and tlie Rihs Separated. No 
Muscle Cut. Tli e Next One 
Sliows Two Ribs Laid Back to 
(iive a View of the Cords and 
the Way to Cut Them. 1 he 
Last is tlie Same Bird After tlie 
Testicle Was Removed, Showing 
How the Muscles Cover the Cut 
After tlie Bird c;ets on His Feet 




\ CHAPTER \I1I. 

\ CARE AFTER THE OPERATION. 

The}' will be ready for their feed as xion as turned loose. 
but should be watered first. Feed lightly of whate\er thev are 
accustomed to. lie sure to sejiarate them so that not over eight 
or ten will go to roo^l in an\- one Ik ix oi' co()p. as where there 
is a larger number togctlier tliex' \\-ill crowd and some will 
smother. After the second night following the o])eration thev 
will be all i-ight and ma_\- then be safely turned together. In 
three to fottr da\s after the o])eration some ( d" the capon mav 
develop wind i)nff>. Thi> is caused b\- the cut healing too fast. 
It is not serious, only air or wind under the skin which cannot 
escape. The remedy is to make an opening in the skin so as 
to let it esca])e. A ])in or needle will not make large enough 
opening; it is best to n>e a i)air of scissors and cut out a small 
pinch of skin. This is just the outer skin of the bird and is 
devoid of feeling, so does not cause the fowl an^• suffering. 
This will not be necessar\' in ver\' man\- birds, but once in a 
while it will occur. More often in birds whei^e the operation 
is performed from one side onlw In three or four da\s after 
the operation, the caj^ms ma\- be allowed the free run <d' the 
place. They are great rustlers, more like a hen ni action^ and 
appearance than anything else. Yet they are different from all 
other feathered creature^ taking on fat in surprising amounts 
in proportion to the feed consumed. They will begin to heavv 
down and sIkjw that the\- are cajions when about si.x months 
old. The American bi-eeds will, if crowde<l along, weigh from 
ten to fifteen ])ounds \vhen the\' are ten months of age. dhe 
operation may be ])erformed at an\- time in an\- month of the 
year if the liirds can be found that are right. 

We usualK' ca])onize the late fall chickens to u>e for foster 
mothers to take care of the early s])ring hatched cliii-ks. luich 
winter we carr\' o\-er about thirt\' to Ije used for tliat ])ur])ose. 
These fellows will then make fifteen-jxmnd cajxius for the fol- 
lowing holiday season. The\' will command the yurv top ])rices. 
as the more thev weigh tlie moi'e the^• are worth ])er pound. 



PROPER FEED FOR CAPOXS. 

Feed the same as other poultry. They will do better, of 
course, on free range, but this is not essetitial. They are not 
subject to disease like other ]ioultry. hence stand confinement 
well. Plenty of green feed is a l)ig help. It makes them 
thrifty, for this purpose sowed oats, wheat or rve is best, with 
alfalfa, just about as good. Si)routed oats are excellent. The 
main feed, however, should be corn — good xellow corn — all 

25 



tlic\- can l)c induced tn cat all tlic time, ddiat is the proper 
\va\ til Iced it to ca])(in> inv profit. I'"ccd the other things 
mentioned in order to whet their ajjpetites so they will eat more 
coKX. Alfalfa meal wet u]) with milk, sonr or sweet, is one 
of the l)e>t growinj^- fec(K we ha\-c ever trieil. The last two 
weeks before marketinL;' or hntchcring. confine them to a small 
\'ar(l and feed corn cho]) soaked in milk. h\'ed about fcmr times 
a da\ . all that they can be coaxed to clean up ,L;-ood. This 
methocl will plum]) out the carcass and give that rich milk feed 
fla\-or Ml nuich in demand. 



26 



CHAPTER IX. 
MARKETING. 

Dealers will tell yi m that capons are in season or out of 
season, dependint;- on llie lime of }-ear that the in(|uii-\- is made. 
Capons are, like strawherries. good at any time of the vear 
that you can i^et them. It takes capons from nine months to 
a year to mature. As chickens and other fowls are mostly 
hatched in the s])rin!^- months, they will mature or qet ri])e dur- 
ing Fehruary, March and April, depending on the time that thev 
were hatched. .\s there is no ])rotit in holding them o\er during 
the summer months, or after thev have heconie fuUv matured, 
it as a matter of course follows that they must be marketed 
during these three months; hence the so-called season. As in- 
cubators come into more general use and chicks are hatched at 
all seasons of the year, it may be jxissible t() secure ca])ons at 
all times. In selling capons on the ojjcn market to local i)ro- 
duce dealers if the best ])rices are exi)ected, the seller must 
be able to furnish enougli ca]ions at one time and i)roperly 
finished, to at least fill one crate. Any fair-minded jierson can 
readily see that a dealer can not handle one or two ca|)ons so as 
to make a i)rofit, as the\- do not sell well in mixed lots, gen- 
erally going at hen ])rices. If you are growing them and ex])ect 
to sell on the o|)en market, alwa\'s arrange t(t ha\'e at lea^t two 
dozen to market together. The more \<n\ have the better ])rices 
you will be able to obtain. Dealer^ will bid much higher where 
there is enough birds to make it interesting. 

\A here se\"eral neighbor^ can arrange to club together and 
have their ca])ons ]-cad\- at the same time, and all >ell together, 
much better ])rices can be realized, ."^mall capons do not sell 
well, as the\- must i)ossess size in order to show that they are 
real cap(ins. The little ones look too nmcb lik'e small I'oosters. 
To l)ring top ]»i"ices ca])ons should weigh o\'cr eight ])ounds 
each. In this resjjcct the\- arc no different from other animals, 
as it is pretty well understood that runt\-, under-sized steers or 
hogs do nr)t command the best jirices. (Jualit\- counts in capons 
as well as in all othei" animals. l'ni"e bred f o\\ b show up their 
quality and run nuich more evenh' in all market re(|uirements 
than common or mixed breeds, therefore it is ilesirable to use 
standard or ])ure bred fowls for cauous. Chickens and ducks 
make the best ca])ons for i)rofit. lurkeNs and geese ma\- l)e 
w'orked on, but have to be ke])t about two years to l)ecome fully 
matured, therefore are not so po])ular for caponizing. Barred 
Plymouth Rock chickens are |)erhai)s the best for making capons. 
Their long back gives ])lent)' of room to do the work. Their 
large size, yellow skin and legs, t(\gether with their (piick-grow- 
ing qualities, makes them \erv desiral)Ie as capons. The fact 
that they are great winter kners makes it ])ossil)le to get fertile 

27 



eggs to incultate very earl\- in tlie sca->nn. Tlie greatest point 
ill fa\'or of l!arre(l Ivocks for eajions is due to tlie fact that 
you can tell the males ninch .sooiiei" than in an\- other hreed 
of fowls. In the iiarred Ivocks the males can he lold as soon as 
hatched. a> the_\' are alwaws much lighter in color than the fe- 
males. In some hreeils of chickens, e>]ieciall\- the solid colored 
birds, it is \'ery hard to tell the males soon enough to make 
good capons. ( )utsi(le ( d" the facts mentioned an\' l)ree<l of 
fowls will make good ca])ons. 

Leghorns and the small hi'eeds make gi lod mothers and 
furnisli cajions with that game\' lla\or so much fa\-ored hv cer- 
tain classes. It is well to reniemher that it will i)a\" to have a 
few capons whether you e\er sell one or not. \t>u cannot 
afford to he without them for \our iw\n us(_'. The fact that 
the\' ])i-ing twice as unich a- an\- olhei- class nf ]ioultr\- need 
not he considei"ed. The point is the\' are the ''est eating on 
earth. Ever_\-one that has chickens at all should haw some 
capons, especialK' when \iiu can ha\'e them without any extra 
exi>ensc. ( )nc capon will inoi'c than ]ia\ for the tools to do it 
with. I )i-essL-d capoUs hi'ing the highe-l jiiace. In di'essing, it 
must he done in a wa\- to show that it is a ca])on. ( )therwise 
the purchase!' could not tell to]- sure what it was; he might 
think it only a rooster. In oi'der that there he no mistake on 
this ])oint. custom and fashion long estahlished has laid down 
certain lades that must h^- follow ci] in dressing cajious fur the 
market. 

( )ne re(|uiremeiit is that the capons arri\e in as nearly 
whole condition as jiossihle. It is desirahle that the\' he drawn, 
in fact -onie state laws i-ei|uire it. In order to draw a fowd 
without nmlilating the carcass, it is necessarx' that the hird l:)e 
not alliwved aiuthing to eat foi- at least twent}'-four hours he- 
foi-e the\' are killed, ("onliiied for that length of time witliout 
an\thiug to eat the crop and intestines will hecome entirely 
em]il\-. This makes these oi-^aus much smaller in size, as well 
as touj.^lK'ning them, thus ])ei'mitling them to he taken out 
with ease. 

A capon's comli and wattles ne\-er grow alter the opei'ation, 
and th? real capon alwax's h;is a jiale look ahout the head, only 
the slips will redden up. In the I'eal capon the head i^emains 
\-er\- small: for these reasons the real capon must always have 
the head left on. lo<^cther with a few neck feathers. That is 
his trademark-, so to speak. ( )n a cajjou the tail feathers and 
coxerlels aix' \-er\- long and ahundant. for that reason the) nuist 
he left on. And iust to gi\e the carcass a tinishe(l look the 
feathers ( ;n the two oinei- joints of the wings are also lelt. The 
feet are left on and in some ])l;ices whei'e the market recpiires 
it a ring of feathers are left ai'ound each leg just aho\-e the 
knee joint. 

Alwa\s (hw pick \dur cajion. 1 )o not scald, as (his would 
s]ioi] the kee]>ing ((ualities of the hii"d ; besides it would ruin the 
fealhei-s. ('aiion feathers are \aluahle. ddie\- will more than 



28 



pay for the dressinq'. They sell next to duck and ^eese feathers. 
All of the coarse hard feathers are left on the hird, only the 
soft, downv ones being plucked. 

As it is necessary for the capon head to remain on the car- 




The Proper Way to Make the Stick. The Drawing Shows \\'here to Find the 

Arteries to Cut. 




connacT ccr 



CROO\/£ /A' 



EYE 

efjo OF s£a\c. 



cass the only practical way to kill hiiu will be to stick inside the 
mouth. As there are two veins that join just under the skin 



29 



in tlic l);u;k ]i;ii'l <it llii- nuailli tlii^ i^ ca^x' ddiic, and nincli 
nidrc Innnanc tlian clu ipjjini;' llicii' licad^ <)\\. an\\va\-. The 
small liladc i>f an urdinai'x' pnckct knife will he all that is re- 
quired. (See cut fur jirdper \va\ to do it.) T( i niak'e the ^tick. 
hang the cajiMn n]> hy hi> feet, a> he will hleed dUt much (|uicker 
and cleanei' in this pd^iti^n and he i"ead\' h> pick as si ( m as 
pniperl\- stnt'lv. Keacli the hiade uf the knife well hack in his 
mouth, sharp ed,i;e n]i, and se\er the \eins as shown in the 
ilhisti-atic 111. Then stick the puint of the knife thrnu.^h the 
nidf (if the hird"- niiinth, si i that the pnint will enter the hrain. 
This will cause him tn k ;i ise all feelini;' and will ciuse the 
feathers tn kmsen. After he is properh stuck \i ui can jiluck 
the feathei's with ease; the\ will almost ci nne nnt of their own 




( I'll. it.. l.\ Drcrinu- ) 

Tust iMiiiMic.l. |-i.,]kt1v llics^r.l. W\-ii;lit 'lueiitv I'ouihK. .IiVs-l-.I Ini I'niin.K Each, 

W'.iilh ■I'wrni) -fur C'cn;-, |.ir r.iiiii.l, <.r 1m\ r ])..ll.-ir-. |..r tin- l';,ir. 

accord aftei" \oii learn to make the stick inst ri^jht. Tt is a 
,Qood scheme lo ha\e a small weii^ht attached to a small hook 
to IiauL;- in his liiwer hill while \ > lU are pickiiiL;'. This will hold 
liiin still and inxwent sw in^iiiL; ar(inni|. The hird jirojierly 
I)]ucked. all ]iin feathei"s and down liaxinu; heen remo\ed. due 
care heiui^- taken not to tear or hrnise the skin, the hird is 
read\- to draw. it is hest to have a lahle hand\ for this ])nr- 
pose. T.a\- the carcass du its hack and cut around the \ent. A 
great deal of fat will he found ai this ]ioint. attached to the 



30 



intestines; as xou pull them out i)U>h the fat hack into the 
hird. This fat will "huj^' out"" at the opening when the l)ird 
is tinished and give it a very rich, tempting appearance. Wlien 
the end of the intestine is reached run the thumh and fore- 
linger uj) inside the hird as far as possihle and hreak them off, 
leaving everything else inside the bird. The croj) is perfectly 
empty and clean, hence it is left in, as it could not l)e removed 
without spoiling the looks of the carcass. Xow wash him very 
thoroughly ; be sure to get the feet and head clean ; sponge the 
breast very carefully. Hang u]) by the feet and allow to cool 
over night, then they will Ije ready to pack for shipment. Line 
a box or barrel with nice clean wdiite j^aper and jnit the birds in 
breast down. If it is warm weather, put in i)lentv t)f ice in 
top and bottom. 

The market for ca]:)ons is unlimited. The writer had 
thought of making up a list of firms that are regular huvers of 
capons in different sections of the country. In fact, we started 
to make up the list, Init f(^und that there were so man\- of these 
firms that it would l)e impossible to get them into a work of 
this character. If it so hai)])ens that you are in a section where 
there is not a read}' market for cajions iust drop a line to The 
Capon Alan, Cedar Vale, Kan., and enclose a stamp for reply. 
You w'ill then be furnished free of charge the address of some 
reliable buyer of capons in your immediate section, no matter 
what part of America you may reside in. 



31 



The Capon Tool Company 



Cedar Vale, Kansas 



\\\- li;;\e pnrciia^L'il tlu- Hem i\ - 1.' '^hl" iu,l;1i jiatunl ci i\crin,L;' tlieir testicle 

reni(i\er tn.uetluT with tlu- luisine^^ and their ;4 1 will. We have also 

seciireil Cdiitn'l "'' sexeral ntlier i)alents either isMieil nr imw iiemliui;' 
and installed the iiect^^arx eMiiipnunt tn nianni'aeiinx' these t>"'l-, in the 
best piissilile niannei' 

( )nr WDrlN'ineii are e>;iiert iiiaehinisl^ and we re(|nire that each one he 
entirely fanidiar with tlu- art nf ea|ii nii/ni-. I''\ er> jier-^on lliat wnrks 
for The (aiHin TimiI (nniiiaiiv must dem()n-^lratc to imr sati.staetii m that 
they can make a eapnn l)efiire they enter our service. 'I'hi^ in-^nres satis- 
factory wiirk and a jierfeet tdol, as the workman understands exactly what 
is reipiired "f liis nnidiict. 

We ,L;narantee our tudN tn he the liesi made fur the itnrpii-,e. and 
should any part prii\e (k'tecti\e at any time we will replace it tree nf 
cliar.ne ; pruVKhul. tlie nld toul is returned td us. We heliexe that we liave 
the hesl tiK.ls t"(ir makmu capnus thai ha\t e\ er iieeii ]iut mu the market 
and we are williuL; t'< deuMnstrate that imiu tn >(iur entire satisfaction. 
You to he the lUil-e. 

k'a\nr ub with an oialer and w wdl receive prumjit and careful atten- 
tion. Kemit h.\- i'eistoltice .\h.ne\ ( )rder. I'.ank l)rafl "V Exiiress Money 
Order. I 'lease dn not send checks as we have tn pa\ exchange ou them. 
\\\- .guarantee the tiuiK In le satisfach irv \i> ynu nv your ninne.N' hack. 
Will send them C. ( !. I), if xnu ])refer. suhject \n exaininatiiin. 




No. 1. lliH.ks and curds for fasteum- the fi iw 1 durin.L; the oiieratiun. 

The iiiHiks are fur fastenin,^ the ciir<ls ahdut the fowls legs and 

Avmgs and saves tiein.L; a kudt each time. 
Price, pi istpaid . 15c 

No. 2. Operalin;,; knife fur separalm.- the rihs and reuinv in- llie testicles. 

Also an excellent knife for killmg all kinds of poidtry for market. 

Alade fri.m the hest .i^rade <>\ sprin.- steel, will hnld a ra/nr edge. 

h'itiished in hest grade uf nickel. 
Price. |)(isipaid. . . .V 25c 

32 




No. 3. Crinmiuii SiiriiiL' SprcaikT. Akulc tr')iii llif l>f^t u^railc of :-pring 
steel. .\ili listed tn spread birds "f mie pound and lialf to two iiounds 
in weiglit. Can lie regiilated as to strcn^ili liy liendin;.; the arms i^f 
the spring ti) suit. l<"inished in polished iiickle. 

Price, postpaid 25c 



No. 4. Ciiniliined Monk and I'rohe. The sharji hook end tor making the 
opening in the tissue cox-ering the intestines so that the testicles may 
be plainly seen. The Mat prohe end tor iiusjiing the intestines back 
in case it is necessary, so as to ha\e a clear \ iew ot the work to be 
done. This is a mighty handy instrument to use in dressing any kind 
of a wound. C(.>tt(_)n may he wrapped aliout the hook end for wiping 
up blood or for cleaning an old sore. Farmers will lincl thi^ instru- 
ment especially useful in removing screw worms from barb wire cuts. 
]\Iade from the liest grade of open hearth steel, hea\ily ])]ated and 
polished. 

Price, postpaid 25c 




I'alenledalluwc.l Dc-cembtr. IVII 

No. 5. Automatic Safety Testicle Remo\er. All that is re(|u red to open 
this instrument is a slight jux'ssure i:ir sf|nee/e of the hand, it locks 
open of its own accord. To close it push the slide forward with the 
thumb. It locks shut. The safety clutch allowing it to close grad- 
ually and holding it securely closed retaining every thing inside the 
loops absolutely secure until released by the hand. The grasping 
loops are groimd out on ;m emer\- wheel beveled ov dove tailed out- 
ward so as not to gras]) anything from the outside. .\djusted by 
hand to half a hair wi<ltli. 'This to. >! wdl not hold to or injure any 
part of the bird unless it shows inside the loops where it may be 
plainly seen. This instrument will almost do the work itself after the 
bird is opened up: all that is required is a slight pressure of the 
hand and a simide twist of the wrist and the trick is done. Alade from 
special process open hearth steel, hnished in the best polished nickle 
plate. 

Price, postpaid $1.25 



33 




Patc-iued Scplrmbrr. 191 1 



No. 6. IniprdNcd I )inulc\ 1 'ell Tc^tck' Iveiin i\ cr. W'c tiuar.-mtei-' this in- 
stninii'iu til l:c the licst testicle renicxer < in the market regardless of 
jince. It npeiis like a pair nt scissors ami closes aiit(imaticall\ . Tliere 
is a spring within the hin'_;e that closes the lonl and holds it closed, 
pre\'eiitiii,L; anything; thai is insidi- the loops from escapins;' until re- 
leased h\ the operator. The loop^ are ground out on an emery wheel 
hy hand, are do\ctailed outward and adjusted like a si)lit hair. With 
this remo\er the ojierator's hand i;^ well hack and does not cast a 
shadow ou the hinl, a point not found in an\ other remo\ er. This 
tool is li^ht and \er\ ea^y to use. U made froui the hest j^^rade of 
oi)en lu-ai-tli steel, hea\il\ nickeled and polished. 



Price 



.$1.50 




I'atente.l I'Vll 

No. 7. Ilnmaiie Spreader. A spreader that lits the liird, sla\ s m position 
without heing held. The coil hinge rests in the bird's thigh and the 
handles hraced V shape on the table prevent it from sliding around and 
tend to liokl the Idrd steady, d'he datteued cuds of the tools are 
placed between the last iwo ribs after the cut is made and the bandies 
brought together until the ribs are spread just the ri.ubt amount. The 
slide on the handle drops lack' b\ gravity and holds the tool siiread 
at any desired point until rcdeased. Made from open hearlh and 
|)iano sii'el wire and is self adjustin.i; and closes automatically of its 
own accord, does uot ha\ e to be held io,L;ether while inserting in the 
wouinl as the old style spreaders did. This instrument is linmaiie in 
its actions and may be u.sed with au\ st\le testicle reiuox er. Sold 
with the understanding that if it fails to L;ue satisfaction it may be 
returned to us and we will refund \onr money m full. hinishcd in 
nickel and polished. 

Price, posti.aid Sl-UU 



34 




Patent allowed 1911 

No. 8. Safety Capcuii/in.^- Set. Consist'^ of the Autmiialic Testicle Re- 
mover, coml)ine(l hook and i)rohe. coinnion cuil s|)rin.n- spreader, oper- 
atino- knife and the necessary hook-, and cor(N. I'ackeil in cotton in 
a neat liox with full illustr;ited directions for i)erf(irniino- the operatitin. 

Price. postna:(L per ^el $1.50 




Patented September. 19 1 

No. 9. Dingley Dell L'aponizino- Set. This ^et contains the Improved 
Dingley I'esticle Remover, conihined iiook and prolie, connnon coil 
spring spreader, operating knife and tlie necessary corcLs and hooks 
for securing the hird. Packed in cotton in a neat I'ox and sent post- 
paid to any address for the |>rice. 

Price, postpaid, per set $2.00 



35 




Patent allowed 1911 

No. hi Autmnatic Safety Capcmizint.': Set. Tlii^ set is our leader and 
we are willin.y t" risk <>uv reputatinii nii tliis set of tools; we especially 
rccomniend it tn the beginner. In this set we are putting the Auto- 
niatic Testicle Remover, the Humane Spreader, the Coml)ined Hook 
and Prohe. the Operating Knife, together with the necessary hooks 
;ni(I oirds. Packed in a neat Imx an<l sent td an\ address on receipt 
(if price. hull ilhistrated directinns fur perfurming the (ii)eration 
AMth e\er\ set nf timls Imught nf u--. As a special inducement to 
]<u\ this set we are giving fi'ee as a ]ircniiuni the great hook on 
cap'ius entitled "fapmis .and Why." by dlie (■apunmau 

Price, pi isl])aid. iier set. t( < au_\- address $2.50 




P.itentcd Sepl.-nil.er. 1911 

No. 11. linpnixcil I )iiigle\ hell Capi'm/iug Set '! his set CMUt.ains the 
liuprii\ed hingle\ hell Testicle i\enn>\cr. ihe llniiiane Sjireiider, the 
Cmilineil MiM.k ;ind i'mhe. the (Iperaliiig Knife. C'nrds and lidnks 
fur securing the liinl. All jiacked in Cdtlini in a neat hux with il- 
luslr.ale'l direclinus for perfdrmiiig the < i])ei-,il n m. The linnk "(/apnns 
;md \\h.\." lmm's uiih each .if these sets s(,ld ,u the regul.ir price. 
We gu.-ir.aulce thi> set .if i.imIs i,, he the best made for the purpose or 
}-our iuoui.'\ li.ack. you t(i he the judge. 

Price, post] laid. piT m 1. to ;iii\ aildre-s $3.<)() 

36 



Make all drafts and iiiniiey orders payable to "The Capon Tool Com- 
pany," Cedar Vale, Kansas. We guarantee all the tools made or sold by 
lis to he entirely satisfactory to tlie purchaser in every wav or your money 
back. We mean by that, that after you get the tools and try them, if for 
an}' reason you cannot use them or do not like them, that you may return 
them to us in a reasonable time after purchased and we will refund your 
nionev in full. 

THE CAPON TOOL CO., 

Cedar Vale, Kau. 

The Capon Tool Company has hundreds of original letters indorsing 
their tools in the strongest possible terms, but the lack of si^ace iirevents 
us giving many of them here. We have selected a very few from widely 
separated sections of the country and print them here because certain 
points are brought out that we lielieve will be of interest to our readers. 
These letters come to us unsolicited and we belie\e. simply state the facts 
in the case We omit the names of the tools mentioned in the letters, as 
we do not wish to knock on our competitor^" ])roducts. We ha\e the 
original letters and they are open for inspection at any time by any one. 



( Copy of Letter ) 
Ancov. Caxai, Zoxe. Cextkai. Amkrica. Jan. ,^. 1011. 

Dear Sirs: — I a.m \er_\- much interested in capouizing. I use the 

tools and lind them very crude, as you cannot see behind your instrument 
and cannot see how you are cutting off the testicle at the other end of 
the instrument. With them everything is just luck, therefore causing a 
great many slips, and they are worse than nothing, as we all realize. In 
one of your articles on capons you speak of a forcep with loops that you 
can see through and which you get hold of the testicle and stretch the 
cords and adhering membranes until you can reach in and sever them 
with a thin bladed knife, remitving all together. Kindly send me one of 
those forceps with the loops: that, I believe, will soUe the problem, ^'our 
article was tine and \ congratulate you upon it. 

\'oui's truly, 

Peter B. Pjrowx, 
Canal Zone, Panruua, Central America. 

Davtox. Ohio, Aug. 23. 1011. 
Dear Sir: — I ha\'e }"Ours of recent date in n/ply to my inquiry in regard 
to your caponizing tools. I lieg to say that I h;i\e caponized for some 
nine years Prof. J. ^l. Drew of the Minnesota .\gricultural College and 
I learned together, some nine years ago, caponizing sixty one Saturday 
night by electric light with split spoon and spreaders as our onlv tools. 

I have set and farmer set also, an improved canula 

and special set with the snipper remo\ers : Latter is not safe for 

beginners to use and all of present spreaders are reprehensible, 

in human affairs. As a hobby of mine (Pm over five counties liere this 
summer), I am teaching likely farmers' sons caponizing. Just began a 
couple of weeks ago using a split scoop, which inclines to slip, as you know. 
and usually needs following with snips or ijinchers. Now. these bo\s look 
to me to get them tools, hence my writing you after I had applied to 
Purdue LIniversity, who cited me to you. I must lind a set that does not 
scare my boys for the price. The "special" set made by with the clip- 
ping testicle remover isn't safe: their farmer set is fair only, but 1 hate 
the spreader. And ^hey won't fiumish me the simple flange sjireader as 
they used to. And I am afraid the scoop will leave slips and discom-age my 

boys so now. I enclose ($ ) and if \'ou can send me a set of your 

tools get it here as soon as you can. 1 h;i\e ele\en men awaiting m\- com- 
ing to show them, two being comUy superintendent'-, who w.ani to put 
caponizing into the course of study under the new < Miio law for teaching 
agriculture. I suggest that you wr-te Indiana's crackerjack poultryman. 
Otis Crane, of Lebanon. Ind. I visited Crane recentl\- : next day he was 

37 



paiil Iwi-nty ilnllar^ Ii\' a packing; cumpaiiN' llicre to train a crew of 
iiK-n til capiiiii/c wiidiii tlie jiacl^cr was sciidin.ij,' mit tn caimiiize free in the 
packer- farmer terrilnrN. ^'^un•^ trnl\. 

J. W. West. 

Fakm]x<;t<i\. X. M., An-. 12, 1911. 
I'|-\K Sik: — ] am A'cry niucli jileased with the instruments, liavinp^ 
tiiund tile Jiirceps much superinr tn liair, wire nr knife. The furceps are 
liner, surer and ipu'cker td wi >rk- witli. N'nur^ trul\'. 

C. W. S\M>r(i.\s. .\I. D. 

Lack I if s]iace pre\ ents us jirintinu an\ nmre nf the k'tti_'rs. We liave 
luuKJreiks simiku" tn ali(i\e. upen fur insjieclinn .it an\ time. l''avor lis 
with yciur nrders and the\ wdl receixe i)riim))t and careful attc.ntinn. 

Tllh: C.VPOX TOOL Co.MPAN\\ 

( "edar Vale. Kan. 
Reference: Cedar Vale Xatinnal l!ank (ir anv husiness man in Cedar 
Vale. 



Dingley Dell Farm 

The hiime uf the Celelirated I iin.nley Mell .strain uf i'.arred I'lynmuth 
Reick chickens, the greatest laying str.ain (Hi earth. 

Birds hred and rai-ed < m the 1 )ingle> I'ell karni ha\e w i m more 
premiums at the i"eall.\' great puullr\ shows df tjic t'entral West than 




[IfftLPLVf^ UTHR K r A E 

CiPymcniEO ini'» 
.•\n lilcal liairi.l I'hni.iuth ]\<.ck OickerVl 'I'liis is llie tvpe uf ni.ilf \\ e use at the 
JI.a.1 (if ( )iir Ivxhiliition .MatinRs. 'nit-sc .Matiiiys lla\r .Mmle 
the Dingley J)ell .strain I'.aiinnis. 

those fr.im an_\ <ither une strain. The seasun n\ lOjO-]] Mr. k'.euoy 
e-xliihited at the Kansas State .Slmw, winning fcmr lirst prizes and many 



38 



minor places: next he s!iii)i)e(! an entirels ditfcrt-nt pen of l);r(K tn tlie 
Big Fonr State Internicuntain SIidw at ( ),L;(len. L'lali. where thirteen 
thousand people paid admission the Uv^\ iia\ of the slinw, winninf^- lirst, 
second and third pullet, besides prizes ini pen and cockerel. A truly great 
performance, considering;- the fifteen hundred inik- ship and tlie hot coui- 




1 \J i * ' ■ ' . :;°,'_'." AMERICAN PLVnouTM ROCK CLUB 

'1 ' //'I '■ < , UPTRHnTEO iBJ? 

An Ideal Barred I'lymouth Rock Hen. This is the Type "f lien We Are I'sii 
Onr Best Fixhihition Matings this Seas(.in. Tliese Are tlie Hens that 
Have Made the Dingley Dell Strain the Real Trne 
\\'inning Bred-to-Lay Birds that They Are. 







An Ideal Barred Plymonth Ruck Pullet — the Kmd Found 

Cedar Vale, Kansas. 



the Dingley Dell Farm, 



petition. Followin;,; these great shows Mr. l'.eiio\- showed next at the 
Missouri State Show at Kansas City, and then at Independence. Kan., where 
he made a clean sweep of all the first jjrizes in a large class of birds, 
closing the season at Topeka, Kan., at the National Barred Rock Show, 



39 



uIktc lii^ wiiiiiiiiLi cijckeTc'l was llic centt-r nf attractiuii. l'\'\v. it any, 
li^l,t•(k■^^ "' r.arrrd l\llck-^ can --Ikiw as u(„h1 a rrcord in a-^ many real large 
sli<i\\> in a^ \\i(k'l\ SfparaU'd scctiims as that I'StaMi^licil li\ Mr, llcUDy. 
Ili^ winning rcctinl nf tlnrt\-nitH' lir-t pn/c^ in the -^L■aSl)ns jn^l i>ast is a 
rcC'ird hy itself, h. say nnthnig n\ the specials and m nor places that his 
hirds \vA\c Willi. 

dlie I inigle\ Mell harm cdiitain-- (Hic hnndred and sixt\ acres devoted 
excliisi\ (.h' t(i raising the hest farm chicl<en an e.irth. ( >\er twn miles of 
chicken tight fence used in making the yards fi ir the special mating. Ex- 
hibition, quality, small, .special mainigs, the rule: mily two hundred females 
kept to use as hreeders. and onr entire time is debited {<> them. The 
Dingley ])ell l'"arin has heen called the ten thousand dullar chicken ranch; 
in reality it reiiresents a much larger inxestment. The 1 )ingley Dell 
I'.arred i'l\nioiitli Rncks are the 1 '.red-to-Lay strain, with the winning 
hahit hred in. 

I'l ickerels. hens and i)n]lets for sale at all times. Slmw hirds, fit to 
will in aii>- Ciimj),an\. a sp(.'ei,alt_\'. (mmhI hix-cdnu females at two dollars 
^•,lrh and up. ilepending on ihe indixidua.l (pi;dit'\. (.'oikei'els are three 
,1,, liars eacdi and up. I .' V raiiinil .iffnrd lo sell the i^ick ,<l the eoekcrcls 




I-t Pull. I Kansas Sl.alc I'Mll. D.nmlil.T <.f 1st llni, Sanir Slmw. 

i'or less, as C.ll'OXS o-/,/ /;/ I'liiielies- oil the ,>heii iiuirhet Al'hAy.Uir. US 
77//\'/;7: IU)I. L.IRS eiieli. Only the hest cockerels ;ire kejit for hreeders. 
We luusl ha\e ;is much for them ;is tlie\ wamlil hring as ('apoiis. 

We will h;i\e hut one graile of eggs lo sell for setting pur|ioses thi.s 
srasou Ihe i:i-.sr; these will he fianu onr special exhilntion niatiugs. from 
onr liri'd-to-l;i\- jiri/e wiuuim.; Modd. We are goini^ to ~,ell these e.ugs at 
three dollars jkt setting; two settings for live dollars; 14 eggs to the 
seltiiig. 

( il'.XK.WTh'.h:.— We -uaranlee the c.hl'S to he stricllx fresh, nice 
smooth eg.us, from special iii.ited pri,:e winning stock". Should you fail to 
hatch as iiiaii\ as irne clucks from each setting purchased of nr- w t- will 
reiilace the setting at oueluilf price. ."Satisfaction guanmteed or \-our 
money hack'. I 'lease do not send persoii.d checks, as we ha\ e to |)ay ex- 
ch;m-'.' oil them. Remit hv r.,ink Draft. I'osi ( Xlice .Money ( )rder or 
F,xpres> ! )rder. .\lal-:e them payalile to 

<ii:( )\ii,V^ WVX'i )\. 

I'ed.ar \'ale, Kan. 
\Mc nieinli-i- of .\iuericaii I'onlirv Asxi iciat ion. 
.Meinlier American I'h month !\ock ( luh. 



40 



One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



29 Wi2 



LIBKHKY UK CONURESS 



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